Sheep Among Wolves
By Deanne Wensel, Reaching Destinations Director
There’s something exhilarating about wrapping up a school year and diving into summer. However, as we closed the door on the 2023-2024 school year, I found myself a little sappy and a lot grateful for the opportunities afforded us through the Reaching Destinations division of Crossroads Pregnancy Center.
Reaching Destinations (RD) is a program designed for classroom instruction in area public and private schools. Our certified speakers present a 5-day curriculum about the benefits of sexual risk avoidance, building healthy relationships, the value of marriage, and other life-giving truths. Our “Relationships Under Construction” curriculum is evidence-based, medically accurate, and has received numerous awards and accreditations.
Although not faith-based, the curriculum aligns with God’s design for marriage and family—crafted in a way acceptable in secular spheres. Thanks to our donors, we have been blessed to expand our library of curricula to suit grades 5th-12th. During the 2023-2024 school year, we had the opportunity to share with nearly 2,200 students in our 4-county area (Huntingdon, Blair, Mifflin, Juniata).
Here are a few student quotes about what they learned:
“ “…made me realize that relationships, marriage, and sex all has so much more meaning.” ”
“I realized how much potential I have in the future, and I want to succeed.””
“
“It made me rethink about how I wanna approach the topic of sex and relationships as a whole, time and patience is key.” ”
Matthew 10:16 says, “Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” This passage could serve as a plea for prayer for the RD program, the speakers, and the students:
Sheep among wolves. We are literally sheep among wolves out there, and it is GOD who does the sending. We pray for open doors in the coming school year.
Wise as serpents. This is key: that God would give us wise thoughts, wise words, and wise demeanors.
Harmless as doves. May our presence and our words bring peace to these classrooms—peace to the hearts of students stranded in unthinkable family situations not of their making.
Would you also join me in praying that we would have the boldness of lions, too? In ourselves, we are ill-equipped. However, with the Lion of Judah roaring inside, we can boldly accept these invitations and speak effectively. And if you or someone you know has a little bit of that “lion inside of those bones,” reach out to me. We need additional contracted speakers who love teens and are willing to be trained and go into these area schools. As we grow the program, are YOU someone who could fill the need?
Thank you for your prayers and support because THIS generation and their future families matter.